Landon Donovan coming back in March (Monday links)

The Los Angeles Galaxy announced the star will be back with the team in the final week of March. He has been on an extended leave of absence, a sabbatical, a soul-searching break — whatever you want to call it — since the end of the MLS Cup.

Coach Bruce Arena told reporters Donovan shouldn’t be expected back on the field until the end of April, which perhaps has biggest implications with the U.S. men’s national team (some big FIFA World Cup qualifiers are coming up).

— Referee assignments for Week 1 in MLS are out. The Sounders-Impact game at CenturyLink Field on March 2 will be worked by Silviu Pestrescu.

— We know the story better than most, but here’s a feature on Osvaldo Alonso and his defection from recent media/marketing work in Miami.

— Here’s more on Kevin Durr, the Sounders’ draft pick who’s enrolled in the Air Force Academy, from the team website.

— Mikael Silvestre could yet sign with MLS, but indications are that he would end up with the Timbers. The Portland owner even hinted to forthcoming signings. Seattle would be due some compensation since it was first to place a discovery claim on the ex-Manchester United defender.